Malawi Spelling Bee Chief Executive Officer Lewis Mbaula says the African Spelling Bee Championship needs to be supported because it helps African children to connect and build their confidence.
He was speaking on Tuesday when financial service provider, Old Mutual Malawi has made a donation of K5.7 million to support hosting of the 5th season of the African Spelling Bee Championship.
Mbaula indicated that nine children who have been under a preparatory camp at Hapuwani Lodge in Mulanje will represent the country during the competition which will be held at Golden Peacock Hotel in Blantyre on Thursday and Friday this week.
He added that the representatives who he believes will raise the Malawian flag at the competition, are from Atsikana pa Ulendo, Zomba Urban Secondary, Sir Harry International High School, Kasangu Primary school in Dowa, Diversity academy in Chikwawa, Puteya primary school in Machinga, Chinguluwe primary school in Salima and Eagle Nest Academy.
“For Malawi we have nine kids who have been camping at Hapuwani lodge in Mulanje, they have been coached, they have been tipped how to bring the trophy home and all the representatives are really promising to bring home,” said Mbaula.
According to Mbaula, over 70 children from 16 African countries are expected to compete for the junior and senior categories of the coveted title of this year’s African Spelling Bee Competition.
Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony, Old Mutual Group Human Capital Executive, Rex Kadzongwe said the gesture is because the company always take pride in supporting initiatives that enhance education in the country.
Kadzongwe said the competition which is the mother of National Spelling Bee Competition, aligns with Old Mutual’s responsible business philosophy where they want to positively impact communities they operate in as well as to demonstrate shared value in education as a tool that contributes to social and economic development.
He further stressed out that the financial service provider’s support to such initiatives is because it wants to significantly contribute towards achieving goal number four of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and also the Malawi 2063 agenda.
“In Malawi’s long-term blueprint, the Malawi 2063, education has been identified as a key for social economic development and industrial growth as it facilitates skills development and we believe our support for the education sector will help in achieving the Malawi 2063 vision.
“In helping our country fulfil its aspirations, as a company and through our Old Mutual (Blantyre) Foundation we are investing in education through other programs like skills development, secondary school bursary support and others,” said Kadzongwe.
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